Annual meeting of Friends of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland
From the yearly meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of Maryland, now in session.
To the President of the United States and members of the administration:
We have felt constrained, as a religious body, to convey to you the expression of the deep sympathy that we feel in the great sorrow that has fallen upon all of us in the bereavement sustained by the violent removal from this life of our late beloved President, Abraham Lincoln.
We feel greatly thankful that his heart was imbued with a regard for conscientious scruples in relation to war, and for the relief that he extended to ns therein.
While we mourn the destruction of human life, and the sad consequences ever attendant upon a state of war, and while we cannot regard carnal warfare as pertaining to the kingdom of Christ, we desire to impart to you our heartfelt rejoicing that millions of our fellow-beings have, by the power of Him who overrules the purposes of men been released from cruel bondage.
As “righteousness exalteth a nation,” we fervently hope that the great principles of equality and justice may ever be recognized in the future of our beloved country, and we would express our solicitude that in the performance of the momentous duties that now devolve upon you, your reliance may be upon God for wisdom, and that justice may be so tempered with mercy that your counsels may be influenced for the good of all.
Signed by direction and on behalf of the meeting aforesaid:
- DILLWYN PARRISH,
Clerk of the Men’s Meeting. - MARY S. LIPPINCOTT,
Clerk of the Women’s Meeting.